C# - Plugin Design

[Richard]

I'd like to build a C# application that has some sort of plugin or
additional modules depending on what functionality the client user has
requested.

The idea is that I have an SQL database table that can be updated from a
number of different sources [3rd party databases/applications] for example:

ID Source SomeData
== ====== =========
1 SomeSQLDatabase.dll abc
2 SomeFlatFileDatabase.dll xyz

Each plugin/module would support the same functions such as:

Find(string userToFind);
Update(ref CustomObject rowInDatabase);

etc. and thus a plugin/module could be used for updating a particular
record in the database depending on the source i.e psudo code:

foreach (file dllfile in directory)
{
if (file.Name == "SomeFlatFileDatabase.dll")
{
foreach (record in database with source = "SomeFlatFileDatabase.dll")
{
[SomeFlatFileDatabase.dll.]Update();
}
}
}

Both the main application and the plugins/modules would reference
another dll containing some custom collections etc.

Also is it possible to add the plugins/modules to a directory within my
applications installed directory without having to add the dll reference
i.e. duplicting the copy that would already be in the installation
directory as part of the main application.

I know this is possible, but I'm just not sure on the best way to start
designing this componant of my application. Could someone perhaps point
me in the right direction or give any hints and tips?

Many thanks in advance. If you need me to clarify anything then let me know.

Regards,

Richard

 

[S. Lorétan]

Hi Richard,

What you're looking for is called "Reflection".

You can look at this article at TCP :
http://www.codeproject.com/csharp/PluginsInCSharp.asp

There's source code and explanation about the same thing you want.

Greetings,
- S. Lorétan

 

[Ignacio Machin \( .NET/ C# MVP \)]

Hi,

It's easily done, take a look at Jon's article about it:

http://www.pobox.com/~skeet/csharp/plugin.html

 

[Richard]

S,

What you're looking for is called "Reflection".

You can look at this article at TCP :
http://www.codeproject.com/csharp/PluginsInCSharp.asp

There's source code and explanation about the same thing you want.

Thanks that is exactly what I wanted. Built my own test and it works a
treat. Now I can work on my pukka application.

Cheers,

Richard